Hillary Rodham Clinton’s address before the United Nations in Geneva will be remembered by history, with the Secretary of State unabashedly arguing to the world that LGBT rights are human rights.
This is an especially effective message for prolific YouTube blogger, Sean Chapin. He presents a very clear and well stated reply to the anti-gay position that Rick Perry, republican candidate for president is campaigning on.
Mr Perry,
What is more traditional than a marriage between two people in love? What is better for a child unwanted and given up because abortion wasn’t an option than to be adopted by people that will love it?
Does it say life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness UNLESS you’re Gay? … when will you realize being Gay is NOT a choice nor is it only a ‘lifestyle’? It’s a life. MY life.
“Lover” is a fictional dramatization of a story very rarely told: of the loss endured by partners of gay servicemembers who are killed in battle.
The video features Tom Goss as the bereaved partner of an army soldier (actor Ben Horen) killed while on duty in Afghanistan.
Among those playing medics who come to the aid of the wounded soldier are several former servicemembers who were discharged under the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy: Mike Almy, David Hall, and Danny Hernandez, all of whom are active members of SLDN. Keith Bryant stars as a fellow soldier. Tom Goss’s music is availabe to preview and purchase on his website. Check it out.
In Feburary, when Matt Alber and I sat down to pen an anthem about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell I never would have realized then how deeply DADT would impact me.
For months I heard stories from servicemembers and their partners about the reality of military life, deployment, war and being left behind. However, when I turned on the news these stories were continually boiled down to a political discussion of numbers, forgetting that it’s people (and their loved ones) that lie behind the numbers.
After posting the previous story on coming out from Brazil, I remembered I ran a story about the world’s largest gay pride parade in Sao Paula, Brazil in 2010. So, here it is. The mass of people marching thru the city’s main streets is truly amazing.
Sunday June 6, 2010 was a big day for Sao Paulo, Brazil. Over 3 million celebrants participated in the world’s biggest gay parade. There were signs at the parade condemning homophobia and urged people to vote for equal rights. We sometimes forget how big the world’s gay community really is. A movement to recognize the rights of all people is unstoppable.
This is a nice hopeful message for gays and especially if you are struggling with your identity. Please LEAVE A COMMENT and let us all know what you think.
This timeline provides information about the gay rights movement in the United States from 1924 to the present: including the Stonewall riots; the contributions of Harvey Milk; the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; the first civil unions; the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York; and more.
Below is the start of the events, which follow the movement up till the June 24, 2011 passage of a law to allow same sex marriage in New York.
1924
The Society for Human Rights in Chicago becomes the country’s earliest known gay rights organization. 1948
Alfred Kinsey publishes Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, revealing to the public that homosexuality is far more widespread than was commonly believed. 1951
The Mattachine Society, the first national gay rights organization, is formed by Harry Hay, considered by many to be the founder of the gay rights movement.
The signing of this historic legislation occurred today December 22, 2010. The bill reverses 17-year ban on gays serving openly in the military. For more, click here.
President Obama gives an emotional speech then signs repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” into law on 12/22/2010. This is the live broadcast of the signing ceremony. It includes the excited welcome and thank yous, the introductory remarks, signing of the bill with 15 different pens, and commentary by host Chris Matthews and his studio guests. This is 28 minutes long, but it gives you a full experience of seeing this historic legislation. Video from MSNBC.